Today was one of those magical travel days that seems to tick every box; scenery, history, culture, food, and just enough adventure.
We began the day in true Amsterdam style, with a canal cruise. Gliding through the city’s historic waterways offered the perfect introduction to its unique charm. The narrow houses, arched bridges, and waterside cafés gave us postcard views around every bend. It’s easy to see why Amsterdam is often called the “Venice of the North.”
After that relaxing start, we headed straight to the Rijksmuseum, one of the Netherlands’ crown jewels. The collection was breathtaking. We stood in awe before Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Much larger and more commanding in person than we imagined. Then Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, which seemed to capture the artist’s complex spirit in just one glance. The galleries are filled with Dutch masterpieces, and it was a real privilege to walk among them.
Feeling peckish, we made our way across to a local market, where the aroma of sizzling street food led us to sample both savoury and sweet treats. It was one of those delicious, messy lunches you talk about long after.
We then wandered through Amsterdam’s cobbled streets, passing quiet canals, quirky shops, and plenty of bicycles. Each turn brought something unexpected; a boutique, a hidden courtyard, or a sunny square full of locals enjoying the weekend.
A stroll through the Red Light District followed. It was a Sunday morning, so the usually buzzing area was surprisingly quiet. It gave us a different perspective of the district, beyond its usual notoriety.
In the afternoon, we hopped on the Buiksloterweg ferry, a quick and free ride across the IJ River to Amsterdam-Noord. Our destination? The This is Holland VR Experience. This was a virtual flight across the Netherlands that gave us a thrilling and immersive look at the country’s stunning landscapes, history, and incredible engineering feats. We now understand how the Dutch managed to carve their nation from the sea, and it gave us a whole new appreciation for what we’d been seeing all day.
Just outside, we looked up at the A’DAM Lookout swing, which dangles daredevils over the edge of the building with views across the whole city. We admired it from a safe distance and firmly said “no way!”
It was a day full of beauty, culture and fun. The kind of day that leaves you both tired and totally satisfied.
Tomorrow marks the final day of our tour before we make our way to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where we’re looking forward to a few days of pure relaxation. But today was a perfect Amsterdam day — one we won’t soon forget.
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